Rear projection screen multi-panel connection system

Abstract

A rear projection screen assembly including a plurality of rear projection screen panels and a framing system for interconnecting the panels. Each of the panels includes an audience facing front surface and a rear surface upon which an image is projected. Selected perimeter edges of the panels include notches which are in registry with notches provided on the perimeter edges of adjacent panels when the panels are arranged in a screen-forming relationship. The framing system includes front brackets and rear brackets disposed along the notched edges of the panels at the panel front surfaces and rear surfaces respectively. Fasteners which extend through the notches in the panel edges connect the front bracket to the rear bracket such that the panels are secured between the brackets. The invention also provides an integrally formed fastener and bracket to facilitate assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A rear projection screen assembly comprising: a plurality of screen panels each including a rear surface, a front surface, and edges, said panels arranged in a screen-forming relationship providing a contiguous viewing area, said panels including a first panel and a second panel, wherein a first panel edge is flush with or in closely spaced relationship with a second panel edge, and wherein at least one of said first panel edge and said second panel edge comprises fastener receiving notch means;   a framing system mounting said panels in said screen-forming relationship, said framing system comprising: a front bracket located along the front surfaces of said first and second panels at said first panel edge and said second panel edge;   a rear bracket separate from said front bracket and located along the rear surfaces of said first and second panels at said first panel edge and said second panel edge;   at least one fastener integrally formed with said front bracket and extending through said notch means and connecting said front bracket to said rear bracket to secure said first and second panels between said front and rear brackets, whereby said at least one fastener and said front bracket comprise a one-piece construction.     
     
     
       2. The rear projection screen assembly of claim 1 wherein said front bracket comprises an acrylic construction. 
     
     
       3. The rear projection screen assembly of claim 1 wherein said fastener receiving notch means comprises a notch in said first panel edge and a notch in said second panel edge in registry with said first panel edge notch. 
     
     
       4. The rear projection screen assembly of claim 3 wherein said first panel edge notch and said second panel edge notch are slot-shaped. 
     
     
       5. The rear projection screen assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second panel edges are vertically oriented when said first and second panels are disposed in said screen-forming relationship. 
     
     
       6. A rear projection screen assembly comprising: a plurality of rear projection screen panels, each panel having edges and a front surface and a rear surface, the panels being positioned in an adjacent relationship to form a contiguous viewing area such that each panel has at least one edge proximate the edge of an adjacent panel;   a framing system comprising framing members disposed along proximate edges of said panels, at least one of the framing members comprising: a front bracket means in contact with the front surfaces of the proximate edges of two panels;   a rear bracket means separate from the front bracket means, the rear bracket means located in contact with the rear surfaces of the proximate edges of the two panels;   a fastener means integrally formed with one of said front bracket means and said rear bracket means and passing between the proximate edges of the panels, said fastener means and the other of said front bracket means and said rear bracket means cooperatively structured to allow securement of said front bracket means and said rear bracket means at different spaced relationships, the integral fastening means fastening said front bracket means to said rear bracket means such that the proximate edges of said panels are simultaneously adjustably squeezed between said front and rear bracket means.     
     
     
       7. The rear projection screen assembly of claim 6 wherein said proximate edges of said two panels comprises notch means for passage of said fastener means, and wherein said proximate edges are one of flush and in closely spaced relationship. 
     
     
       8. The rear projection screen assembly of claim 7 wherein said fastener means is integrally formed with said front bracket means and includes a transversely arranged shank, and wherein said notch means is slot-shaped. 
     
     
       9. The rear projection screen assembly of claim 6 further comprising a light blocking fin, and wherein said rear bracket means comprises means for mounting said fin. 
     
     
       10. The rear projection screen assembly of claim 6 wherein said fastener means comprises at least one longitudinally extending flange rearwardly projecting from said front bracket means, wherein said at least one flange comprises engagement means proximate a rearward portion, wherein said rear bracket means comprises a longitudinal channel for receiving said at least one flange, and wherein said channel comprises an interior surface including engagement means for cooperating with said flange engagement means for securing said front and rear bracket means together. 
     
     
       11. The rear projection screen assembly of claim 6 wherein said fastener means comprises at least one fastening post rearwardly projecting from said front bracket means, wherein said rear bracket means comprises at least one bore, and wherein said at least one fastening post comprises means for engaging said bore for securing said front and rear bracket means together.